Gardening Articles and Ezines
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51. A Garden of Thanks
January 03, 2021
Well, it happened. The last bright red leaf finally loosened itself from its up-high perch where it dangled, resolute, for so many weeks. The wind carried it away on an afternoon breeze, and now a single bare tree sits in my front yard, empty of leaves. I am sure it will soon be covered with fluffy snow and then, eventually, with spring buds. Fall is such a bittersweet time. This year, I would like to lean into the “sweet” side, rather than the “bitter,” so I have decided to focus on gratitude. As I look out my window at that tree and its empty branches, I am thinking about all of the wonderfu... (read more)
Author: Florence Blum
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52. A Metallic Miniature Garden
December 26, 2020
During the cloudy days of winter, when the sun hides and the snow accumulates, my yard can look unbelievably dreary. Leafless trees shiver in the wind. Icy patches lurk. And night comes down early, shutting down the day just as it was getting started. Yuck.
Luckily, my winter container gardens bring light and hope to my days, even during the months that feel like the longest of the year. While I try to fill my miniature gardens with bright winter flowering plants and cheery fairy houses, my efforts are not always enough. I have to take my fairy garden design a step further in order to inj... (read more)
Author: Florence Blum
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53. Signs and Designs in the Fairy Garden
December 04, 2020
Which way to the fairy garden? Now that the temperature is dropping and the skies are turning grey, my flower-filled fairy garden has been reimagined with plants for fall and winter. Where fairies once flew around bright blossoms, they now wander among the branches of evergreens and play in fields full of groundcover plants. Plants for fall and winter tend to be a little less colorful (though there are plenty of bright options for winter flowering plants!), so I have been working on some fairy garden elements that will add both color and direction to the garden. It is time to design some signs... (read more)
Author: Florence Blum
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54. The Gift of Gardening
December 02, 2020
The holiday season is back. Can you believe it? We have officially passed through spring, summer, and fall. Once again, it is time to light the candles, put up the trees, cook the meals, and buy the gifts. Every year I tell myself that I’ll start my gift search in the summertime. And every year I find myself panicked in the weeks following Thanksgiving, searching online for holiday gifts for my family members and friends. I peruse stores, check wish lists, and balance my budget. It can be a fun process, but holiday shopping is also one of the most stressful times of the year. According to surv... (read more)
Author: Florence Blum
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55. The Stars of the Miniature Garden
December 02, 2020
During the dark, cold days of winter, when the short days are strung together by frosty mornings and bitter nights, I take comfort in the stars. Sometimes I bundle up in coat, hat, and gloves, and stand in my garden at night. Looking up, through the fog of my breath and the shiver of my body, I can see the stars, shining brightly across the deep-black sky. Stars offer the warmth of light, the promise of new life, and the hope of things yet unknown.
Points of Light This year, I am looking forward to adding star shapes and lights to my miniature garden. To help my winter flowering plants a... (read more)
Author: Florence Blum
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56. A Happy Harvest
November 26, 2020
The wind is howling. The jack o’ lanterns are glowing. And in some parts of the country, the snow is falling! Yep, we have officially reached the time of year when the seasons start to move quickly and blend together. The long, hot days of summer have been replaced by the quickening pace of back-to-school, fall harvest, and holiday time. Up north, the ground is blanketed with fluffy white snow. Down south, the sun is blazing. And in the Midwest, farmers are still working hard to pull in the harvest before the long, cold days of winter set in.
Where are you on this seasonal spectrum? Are y... (read more)
Author: Florence Blum
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57. Tree Time in the Miniature Garden
November 07, 2020
Are you the type of person who starts to put up holiday decorations the moment Halloween has ended? Do you light the holiday candles, bake the cookies, and start shopping for everyone on your list? I tend to wait until later in the winter season to ready my home for the holidays, but one place I do like to decorate is the miniature garden. The gardening calendar moves quickly. In the summer, I start thinking about plants for fall and winter. Then, as the air turns chilly, I move my winter plants into their containers and choose the accessories for my winter container garden. But it isn’t quite... (read more)
Author: Florence Blum
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58. Fall Colors in the Fairy Garden
November 07, 2020
What’s your favorite thing about fall? Do you love the crisp, cool air, or the return of football? Do you look forward to Halloween candy and wait all year for that first sip of a pumpkin-flavored coffee? I could probably list a million things I love about this time of year, but you can probably guess my all-time favorite—the fall miniature garden!
When I need a break from the busy days of fall, I step into the world of the fairy garden, where miniature accessories, fairy houses, and fairy garden plants stir my imagination and add beauty to autumn’s chilly, gray days. If you are like me a... (read more)
Author: Florence Blum
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59. The World's Largest Database for Woodworking Projects
November 05, 2020
TedsWoodworking.com, Ted Mcgrath, a certified master woodworker, trainer, and author gives more than 16,000 plans, with step-by-step blueprints for various woodworking projects.
So what’s TedsWoodworking all about?
Building complex projects or even the simple ones to meet specific needs can be very difficult even to experienced woodworkers especially when you can’t find a detailed plan. And most of the so-called “step by step” guides found online and in various magazines make building some projects harder than it should be. This is because the plans are sometimes not specific enough... (read more)
Author: Jason Ng
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60. 4 Ideas for a Classic Winter Container Garden
November 02, 2020
The temperature is dropping. The holidays are approaching. And gardeners are wondering…what will the winter bring? How can I extend the love of landscaping and fairy gardening through the coldest months of the year? Though the winter brings questions, it is also full of opportunity for gorgeous container gardens, festive fairy gardens, and tremendous tablescapes. This week, I am taking a look at four key ideas all gardeners should consider when planning a classic winter container garden. Ready to dive in? Here we go!
1) Container When it comes to planting a winter container garden, one o... (read more)
Author: Florence Blum
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61. How does a Pool Sand Filter Work?
October 21, 2020
Some time ago, most pools did not have a filtration system to keep the water clean and bacteria-free. They worked simply by filling the pool with clean water. On certain days, when the water seemed unpleasant, they were emptied, cleaned, and refilled. Undoubtedly, this represented several disadvantages: the cost of water, and unsanitary swimming pool, and an unpleasant bath due to insufficient transparency of the water. But at present times, all pools have a filtration system to maintain the water clean, free of algae and bacteria. The two most central components of the treatment plant are the... (read more)
Author: Helen Stephens
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62. Planning Ahead for the Winter Garden
October 06, 2020
The last of the summer barbeques are over. The grills have been cleaned and put away. The sunscreen and bug spray are all packed up. And that back-to-school feeling is in the air. Sometimes it seems as though summer will last forever. Then it wraps up in the blink of an eye, and suddenly, we find ourselves halfway to winter! As time inches ever-closer to the coldest months of the year, I am already thinking about plants for fall and winter, planning my winter container garden, and considering some winter plants for my yard. If you are a go-getter who is ready to starting planning ahead for you... (read more)
Author: Florence Blum
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63. Planting a Winter Container Garden
October 06, 2020
I love everything about the cold and cloudy months. From lighting the first fall-scented candles and carving pumpkins to exchanging presents and watching the snow accumulate outside my window, these weeks are a delight. My favorite seasons are filled with traditions, holidays, visits with family, and of course, decorations and gardens. As the calendar flips deeper into autumn, I am already starting to plan out my winter container gardens. Have you started to think about your own winter container gardens yet? No matter where you are in the process, I have a few tips and tricks to share for your... (read more)
Author: Florence Blum
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64. A Snow Day in the Fairy Garden
October 05, 2020
Despite the early morning hour, the garden fairies are already awake. The sweet smells of hot apple cider and pancakes fill the fairy kitchen while the garden friends crowd against the front windows of their fairy cottages, peeking from behind the curtains. Outside, the wind is blowing and the snowdrifts have begun to pile up underneath the winter plants and miniature trees. It is a snow day in the fairy garden!
Once or twice each year, the fairies get a big surprise—fairy school is canceled due to fast-falling snow flurries. Instead of making their way over the stepping stones and under ... (read more)
Author: Florence Blum
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65. All About Ajuga
October 05, 2020
What type of gardener are you? Are you the kind of gardener who likes to take care of your miniature plants under the bright sun, sweat building on your brow, before going inside to cool down with a glass of lemonade? Or perhaps you love to pull on a sweatshirt and add mulch around your miniature trees, enjoying the short but oh-so-lovely weeks of fall. For others, spring is the best season to get outside in the garden. Full of sweet smells, mild weather, and welcome rain, the spring garden is a peaceful place to be.
Or maybe, just maybe, you are the elusive winter gardener. You delight i... (read more)
Author: Florence Blum
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66. Organic Gardening - Animal Based Fertilizers For Your Garden
September 26, 2020
Organic gardening is becoming more popular, and gardeners are looking for organic fertilizers and other organic products for there gardening needs. Organic fertilizers are either animal, mineral, or vegetable-based. Animal-based organic fertilizers are a by-product of the farming and meat industry. Products like manures, blood meal, bone meal, and fish products are all part of this type of fertilizer. Manures are the most common type of organic fertilizer that comes to mind to the home gardener. They can supply a lot of organic matter to the garden's soil to improve the soil's structure. ... (read more)
Author: Darren Chan
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67. 6 Kid-Friendly Fairy Garden Ideas
September 26, 2020
If you have children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or other little ones in your life, your miniature garden probably gets its fair share of young visitors. Fairy gardens, with their miniature houses, accessories, and wee folk, can be a wonderful outlet for imaginative children who do not mind playing in the dirt. Kids and adults agree—there is just something magical about a miniature garden! If you would like to make your miniature garden a little more child-friendly, or if you are building a new garden and hope to make it a welcoming space for all ages, take a look at the following kid-fri... (read more)
Author: Florence Blum
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68. Made for the Shade
September 02, 2020
Are you lucky enough to have towering trees in your yard? Is your miniature garden growing in the shadow of decades-old trees, tall shrubs, a sturdy deck, or the side of your home? If you are hoping to make the most of a shady yard, look no further than Hostas. These hardy perennials are known for their reliability, easy-to-care-for nature, and long lives.
Hostas range in size from miniature plants to large clumps that stretch up to 4-feet across. In the fairy garden, the tiniest Hostas add color and character wherever they are planted. Miniature varieties look gorgeous in containers, roc... (read more)
Author: Florence Blum
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69. The Magic of Mosaics
September 02, 2020
My garden has received rain nearly every day this week. The sky is grey, without even a hint of blue. The clouds hang low over the hot and humid landscape. Late summer has brought buckets of rain down on my neighborhood, ruining any dreams I had of wandering through my garden on a bright and sunny day.
Fortunately, all of this rain has given me some new ideas about how to bring a little “sunshine” to my miniature garden, despite the weather. In the midst of clouds, heat, humidity, and overcast skies, I may be able to brighten up my fairy garden with something that always makes me smile—ar... (read more)
Author: Florence Blum
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70. Meet the Mangavé
September 02, 2020
Everyone has their favorite plant. It might be that delicate String of Pearls that trails gracefully from its indoor perch, the groundcover that provides a bright green fairy garden “lawn,” or the miniature tree that has been given careful care and attention. When you think of your favorite plant, what comes to mind? Usually these are the plants that have been residents of our fairy gardens or homes for many months or years. I have a sensitive plant that is very close to my heart, as I have managed to keep it alive and thriving far longer than I expected!
Despite having a robust collectio... (read more)
Author: Florence Blum
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71. Back to the Garden
September 02, 2020
August is a funny month. Situated at the tail-end of summertime, it is usually a month full of last-minute vacations, back-to-school shopping, and attempts to squeeze in every last ounce of summer fun. It is a month of transitions both big and small. And this year, those transitions are especially unique and meaningful. Some children are preparing to go back to school full-time, while others are gearing up for weeks of learning at home. Parents are making tough decisions and rethinking how their families’ lives will look over the next few months.
In the midst of all this change and uncert... (read more)
Author: Florence Blum
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72. Colorful Plants for the Miniature Garden
August 27, 2020
If you could design your ideal miniature garden, what would it look like? Would it provide a Zen escape from your day-to-day life? Would it celebrate your favorite fairytale or transport you to a tropical oasis?
Step into the miniature garden of my wildest dreams, and you will enter a bright, bustling world full of color! I picture a fairy garden bursting with energy, colors, and textures, ready to delight the senses and open the mind. While I have grown to appreciate and enjoy gardens that are more subdued, calm, and relaxing, a colorful garden fits my personality perfectly. It also feel... (read more)
Author: Florence Blum
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73. Small Gardens With Big Personalities
August 06, 2020
These days, my garden goals and dreams are bigger than ever. My passion for the hobby grows every year! Check in with me on a Saturday, and you will likely find me browsing for miniature plants and thinking about which accessories I will add to my online cart.
But, as we all know, these days are also a little bit different than summers past. I am spending more time inside instead of out and about at the lively parks, plazas, and businesses in my neighborhood. Instead of traveling to an office building each day, I start and end my workday in the same place—my living room. Perhaps you can r... (read more)
Author: Florence Blum
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74. Digging Into Desert Gardens
August 05, 2020
The temperature climbs. The sun beats down. You can almost feel the sweat dripping down your forehead. But you just want to be in the garden! Sometimes the summertime months can feel like a cruel joke. The blue sky and bright sun are tempting, but hot temperatures make gardening a tricky business, especially when it comes to delicate miniature plants. If you live in a hot climate, but still want to make your fairy garden dreams come true, you are not out of luck! You might just need to take a look at desert gardens.
When you hear the word “desert,” what springs to mind? Sand? Heat? Long s... (read more)
Author: Florence Blum
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75. Adopting a Unicorn in the Fairy Garden
August 04, 2020
The miniature garden is a mysterious and magical place. Miniature plants clamor up the sides of fairy cottages and wee folk frolic underneath bright flower blossoms. Open a door in the garden, and you just might find yourself on a path towards an entirely new world! If you want your imagination to grow and your creativity to flourish, you definitely want to spend some time in the fairy garden.
One of my favorite ways to inspire wonder and creativity in the garden, whether I am providing garden fun for little ones or simply showing off my container garden to the next-door neighbor, is to “... (read more)
Author: Florence Blum
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